Flywheel, Shyster, & Flywheel

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Gummo Productions Presents

Flywheel, Shyster, & Flywheel

BASED ON THE MARX BROS

As part of the 2007 NZ International Comedy festival, Dunedin-based Gummo Productions will bring the classic vaudeville routines of the Marx Bros. to life in this one-hour review. Fans of the Marx Bros. movies will recognize some of these scenes, while other classic jokes from their vaudeville days are also included.

Similar to British Music Hall, around 1920 vaudeville was a vibrant form of American comedy theatre, and the Marx Bros. emerged as one of the most famous acts, appearing on the vaudeville circuit, Broadway, radio, and starring in 11 feature films. The members of the Gummo co-op are all young actors and comedians based in Dunedin who have studied the Marx Bros. and admire their sense of anarchy and surreal humour. Director Jerry Jaffe, a University of Otago drama teacher, says “We are NOT trying to imitate Groucho, Chico, and Harpo, but instead to create a comedy show based on their style. Its really just an excuse to see how many crazy jokes and eccentric characters we can get into a one-hour show.” The other members of the company include Wilbur McDougal, Andrew Robinson, Scott Ransom, Paul Stephanus, and Phoebe Smith.

The story-line of the play revolves around a shady lawyer called Mr. Flywheel (Ransom) and Ravelli (Robinson) his dim-witted assistant. During the course of the show, they troll the streets for clients (several characters portrayed by Stephanus), try to help the rich widow Mrs. Dumont (Smith) find her lost painting, and the bossy Mr. Jones (McDougal) with his divorce. Flywheel at one point describes Ravelli to Jones, saying, “He may look like an idiot, and talk like an idiot, but don’t let that fool you, he really is an idiot!”

This show is family friendly!

Dates: Tue 15 – Sat 19 May, 6.30pm
Venue: BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington City
Tickets: Adults $15 Conc. $10
Bookings: BATS 04 802 4175
Show Duration: 50 min

ENDS

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